Massaging and washing device

ABSTRACT

The invention is a back scrubbing and massaging means having a novel, nonbrush element comprising a plurality of deformable rollers loosely held within the framework of the device, adapted to be removably secured in a bathtub or on the wall of a standing shower in a position from which the bather can readily massage, scratch or wash his back by rubbing against the rollers without the use of his hands either on the invention or at his back. The invention also has a feature which permits the easy removal and replacement of the massaging, scratching and washing means from the frame or base of the invention.

United States Patent 1,239,539 9/1917 Swenson lnventor Margaret Alice Guffin 128 Driscoll Ave., Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11570 Appl. No. 816,639

Filed Apr. 16, 1969 Patented May 11, 1971 MASSAGING AND WASHING DEVICE 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl

l28/62R, 128/65, 4/158,4/184 Int. Cl A61h 15/00 Field otSearch 1 128/62, 65, 57;4/158, 184

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,748,763 6/1956 Kosloff 2,819,714 1/1958 London Primary Examiner-L. W. Trapp AttorneyEdward l-lalle ABSTRACT: The invention is a back scrubbing and massaging means having a novel, nonbrush element comprising a plurality of defonnable rollers loosely held within the framework of the device, adapted to be removably secured in a bathtub or on the wall of a standing shower in a position from which the bather can readily massage, scratch or wash his back by rubbing against the rollers without the use of his hands either on the invention or at his back. The invention also has a feature which permits the easy removal and replacement of the massaging, scratching and washing means from the frame or base of the invention.

PATENTEU m 1 IQYI $577,985

INVENTOR. MARGARET GUFFIN H 3 Q ZJ M ML ATTORNEX MASSAGING AND WASHING DEVICE The human anatomy is so constructed that it is often impossible for the average person to reach certain areas of the back; for example between the shoulder blades and areas contiguous thereto. Even when these areas are reachable with the aid of a brush with a handle, it is not very satisfactory because the proper amount of pressure and directional application is sometimes hard to achieve. In addition, the usual scrubbing brush is harsh and rough and does not provide a satisfactory means to rest the body against.

It is an object of this invention to achieve massaging or washing of these inaccessible areas by providing a nonbrush element at a proper position in a bathtub or on the wall of a standing shower so that the bather can, by lying or backing against the rubbing means, apply as much pressure as is desired against the exact portion of the body to be massaged or washed without having a harsh skin disturbing effect.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a rubbing means which will have the necessary frictional effect for massaging and washing, and yet be soft enough for comfort.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a device which may be removably secured to a bathtub orshower installation, and another object of the invention is to provide such a device in which the rubbing means is removable and interchangeable.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such rubbing means which are easy and economical to manufacture, and which may be produced in quantity in a standardized form.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the specification hereinbelow. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing a bathtub with the invention secured to the tub;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rubbing element means partly installed in the frame of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the form of invention shown in FIG. 2 with the rubbing element installed and with parts in phantom and parts in section;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another form or rubbing element adapted for use with the invention; and

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a shower stall with parts cut away showing another installation of the invention.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The massaging and washing device comprises a frame member such as a base plate 22 which includes a plurality of fastening means such as suction cups 24 adapted to hold the base plate 22 to a surface such as surface 26 of a bathtub 27 or a surface such as wall surface 28 of a stall shower 29. The fastening means 24 are of a type such as suction cups which may be readily installed on and removed from a surface.

The base plate 22 has a pair of opposed ends 30 and 32 which are provided with upward and inward curves 34 and 36 respectively which are adapted to hold interchangeable accessory plates on which are mounted various interchangeable rubbing assembly means. Plate 38 comprises rubbing assembly means 40 which comprises a plurality of deformable elements such as rollers 42 which are movably held on plate 38 by means of a restraining member 44 which is mounted on plate 38 at its ends 46 and 48. Each of the rollers 42 has a recessed portion such as annular recess 50 adapted to cooperate with restraining means 44. The restraining means 44 is spaced a relative distance away from the upper surface 52 of plate 38 with relation to the inner and outer diameters of recessed portions 50 so that member 44 will be below the outer diameter 54 of each of the rollers 42 and somewhat above the inner diameter 56 of each of the rollers 42, as particularly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings; so that the restraining member 44 will hold the rollers 42 in place so that they may move or rotate within the restraint of restraining member 44. Since the rollers 42 are made of a deformable material, they may be squeezed into position by inserting an end such as end 60 underneath restraining member 44 and squeezing and drawing the roller 42 up until restraining member 44 is lined up with recessed portion 50. The deformable materialof the roller 42 will spring back and maintain the roller in position for use in a rotatable, movably held condition. I

The device as described may have a main frame or plate 22 on which the rubbing assembly 40 is mounted, or the rubbing assembly may be comprised in a unitary main frame. How- 'ever, I prefer the form shown in FIG. 2 as it permits easy removal, replacement or substitution of the rubbing assembly.

Plate 38 is mounted on the frame 22 by sliding its edges 62 and 64 between ends 30 and 32 of frame 22. Frame 22 is preferably made of a springy material so that the ends of the curves 34 and 36 will hold the plate 38 in position.

The material of the rollers 42 as well as the plate 22 may be of any type suitable for composition in the invention; for example, the rollers 42 may be made of rubber or plastic having the qualities of being deformable, and they may either be solid or foamed. The plate 22 may be made of a springy plastic material of any type which has sufiicient strength to maintain its form and yet have some flexibility, or it may be made of metal or any other suitable material. Plate 38 and restraining member 44 may be made of metal, plastic or any other suitable material.

In FIG. I of the drawings, I show a massaging and washing device 20 of the invention installed at the head end 66 of a bathtub 27; and in FIG. 5 of the drawings, I show the device 20 installed on the inner wall surface 28 of a stall shower 29. The user rubs his back against the rubbing assembly of the device to achieve a washing effect and also to achieve a massagingeffect if desired, without water. The rollers 42 are free to rotate and present varying degrees of friction as well as varying degrees of pressure due to the deformability of the material, and yet the material is soft enough to provide comfortfor the bather.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings, I show another form of rubbing means such as rubbing assembly 70 mounted on a plate 72. Plate 72 has rubbing means 74 in the form of a brush element having the usual bristles 76 rather than the rollers 42 of the preferred form of the invention. In all other respects, plate 72 fits within the frame 22 in the same manner as plate 38.

It will be appreciated thatas a rubbing assembly wears out or becomes damaged, it can readily be replaced by providing a new one to slide into the frame 22. It may also be appreciated that a combination of frame 22 with a plurality of rubbing assemblies in which at least one may have rollers such as assembly 40 and in which at least another one may have brush elements such as assembly 70, may be provided so that the user can selectively place and use different types of rubbing elements in the frame 22.

While I have described my invention in its preferred forms, there are many forms which it may take without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lclaim:

l. A massaging and washing device comprising a main frame including rubbing means comprising a plurality of deformable elements movably held in the main frame, in which the movably held elements are in the form of rollers, and in which there is holding means for the rollers comprising a restraining member and at least one portion on each roller to cooperate with the said restraining member, in which the portion on each roller to cooperate with the said restraining member is a recessed portion, and in which the said restraining member is mounted on the main frame and spaced away from the main frame so that the rollers are held between the restraining member and the main frame.

2. The device as defined in claim 1, in which the deformable elements are made of a foamed material.

3. The device as defined in claim 1, in which the deformable elements are held in a rubbing assembly means which in turn is removably mounted on the main frame of the device.

4. A massaging and washing device comprising a main frame including rubbing means comprising a plurality of deformable elements movably held in the main frame, in

which the deformable elements are held in a rubbing assembly means which in turn is removably mounted on the main frame of the device; in combination with a plurality of separate rubbing assembly means, in which at least one of said rubbing assembly means comprises rollers and holding means for the rollers comprising a restraining member and at least one recessed portion on each roller to cooperate with the said restraining member, and in which at least another of said rubbing assembly means comprises brush element means.

5. The device as defined in claim 3, in which the main frame has curved end holding means which are adapted to hold the 

1. A massaging and washing device comprising a main frame including rubbing means comprising a plurality of deformable elements movably held in the main frame, in which the movably held elements are in the form of rollers, and in which there is holding means for the rollers comprising a restraining member and at least one portion on each roller to cooperate with the said restraining member, in which the portion on each roller to cooperate with the said restraining member is a recessed portion, and in which the said restraining member is mounted on the main frame and spaced away from the main frame so that the rollers are held between the restraining member and the main frame.
 2. The device as defined in claim 1, in which the deformable elements are made of a foamed material.
 3. The device as defined in claim 1, in which the deformable elements are held in a rubbing assembly means which in turn is removably mounted on the main frame of the device.
 4. A massaging and washing device comprising a main frame including rubbing means comprising a plurality of deformable elements movably held in the main frame, in which the deformable elements are held in a rubbing assembly means which in turn is removably mounted on the main frame of the device; in combination with a plurality of separate rubbing assembly means, in which at least one of said rubbing assembly means comprises rollers and holding means for the rollers comprising a restraining member and at least one recessed portion on each roller to cooperate with the said restraining member, and in which at least another of said rubbing assembly means comprises brush element means.
 5. The device as defined in claim 3, in which the main frame has curved end holding means which are adapted to hold the rubbing assembly means.
 6. The device as defined in claim 1 which includes fastening means to hold the device to a surface.
 7. The device as defined in claim 6, in which the fastening means comprise suction cups.
 8. The device as defined in claim 4 which includes fastening means to hold the device to a surface.
 9. The device as defined in claim 8, in which the fastening means comprise suction cups. 